MaameYaa Kwafo-Akoto
Partner
London
MaameYaa Kwafo-Akoto
Partner
London
Contact details
MaameYaa is a partner in the Funds & Asset Management practice. She has over 15 years of experience advising sovereign wealth funds, central banks, family offices, insurance companies, pension funds and development finance institutions around the world on their investment arrangements.
On a daily basis, MaameYaa advises investors on asset management issues and strategic global and national issues.
Her work includes public investments and private fund investments (both cornerstone and smaller amounts), single investor mandates and co-investment arrangements covering all asset classes including infrastructure and energy, as well as a wide variety of other agreements and financial services regulatory issues. MaameYaa spent time on secondment to a government entity in Riyadh in 2017 and an Emirati government entity in 2021.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Academic
2006-2007: Legal Practice Course, College of Law (London)
2004-2006: Graduate Diploma in Law, College of Law (London) – (completed part time in the evenings over two years)
2001-2004: BA (Anthropology and Sociology) Goldsmiths, University of London
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Experience highlights
Middle Eastern sovereign wealth fund on a broad range of fund investments into credit, real estate, private equity and hedge funds. The value of these investments range between USD10m – USD3bn.
Middle Eastern pension fund on a range of co-investments, managed accounts and funds-of-one as well as Custody arrangements and brokerage agreements.
African sovereign wealth fund on its fund investments and portfolio due diligence.
UK local pension fund on a range of fund matters including investments and regulatory advice.
Expertise
Practices
Sectors
Qualifications
Academic
2006-2007: Legal Practice Course, College of Law (London)
2004-2006: Graduate Diploma in Law, College of Law (London) – (completed part time in the evenings over two years)
2001-2004: BA (Anthropology and Sociology) Goldsmiths, University of London
Pro bono
- Advising the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority on its Covid-19 relief fund.
- Member of the Fair Education Alliance (FEA). The FEA seeks to overcome the challenges young people from low income communities face in education.
- School governor at the Bishop Chancellor school in Tower Hamlets.
- Introducing Allen & Overy to AfriKids which was selected as the firm’s charity partner; the firm has to date made a donation of GBP1.37m and delivered multiple pro bono projects.
- A founding member of the BAME Committee, MaameYaa works with the firm to progress its vision of increasing the number of ethnic minorities at senior levels. Evidence of MaameYaa’s ability to influence internally is best seen by the firm’s decision to formally introduce a structured mentoring programme and career development opportunities.
- MaameYaa is the founder of the Black Lawyers Affinity Group (BLAG). BLAG is an affinity group that aims to support black employees of A&O through networking, mentoring and training.
Published Work
- Great Fund Insights podcast Is there any money in Africa
- Great Fund Insights: UK Government response to the consultation on corporate transparency and PSC register reform
- Great Fund Insights podcast Investing in Saudi Arabia current and emerging trends for institutional investors
- Great Fund Insights: A great deal more or a great deal less ILPAs new deal-by-deal model LPA
- Great Fund Insights: In conversation with GIIN
Recognition
MaameYaa provides a consistent [and] excellent level of service and expertise. She is exceptionally hard working, responsive and understanding of our business and our needs.
Legal 500, Private Funds, 2020
Kwafo-Akoto is praised for her technical expertise being regarded as a trusted strategic advisor to a number of central banks and sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East and West Africa.
Rising Star in Legal Week’s British Legal Awards 2019
Awards & accolades
Rising Star
Legal Week’s British Legal Awards 2019
Listed as a Female Future Leader
Financial Times HERoes for championing the conversation on diversity and inclusion
EMpower Minority Future Leader
Financial Times
